Passes/Fares & Tickets Return to Site Map
Fare Categories
Basic
All passengers
must pay Basic fare unless eligible
for Discount fare, or free fare.
Discount
Requires certain
forms of identification (ID) or age verification as follows:
a) Seniors (age 62 - 74) Individuals with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Proof of identity is required upon boarding.* Attendants of persons with disabilities may ride for Discount fare if the person has an RT Disabled photo ID card with Attendant eligibility notation.
* Proof of identity would include: an RT Senior or Disabled photo identification card, a Senior or Disabled photo identification card issued by another transit agency, a driver's license, a passport, or identification card issued by any governmental entity containing a photo of the cardholder (and also showing verification of age - for Seniors only).
b) Students (age 5 - 18) - Must be pursuing a high school diploma; eligible to purchase RT monthly student stickers with an RT Student photo ID card. Students are eligible to purchase single fares and daily passes with their school ID.
c) Class Pass - A discounted group pass is available to teachers traveling with classes. For more information about the Class Pass program, call 321-BUSS (2877).
RT photo ID cards are only available at RT’s Photo Identification Center —
Central City Back to top
Central City Fare - Valid only within RT’s Central City Zone boundaries. The Central City Fare is good for one ride on either RT buses or light rail (up to two hours) between Alkali Flat/La Valentina, 29th St. and Broadway stations.
Shuttle Back to top
Shuttle Fare - Valid only on designated shuttle routes. The shuttle fare is good for one ride on RT buses.
Free Fares Back to top
Children under age 5 - Up to two children ride free when accompanied by an adult paying passenger. Student fares apply for additional children.
RT Lifetime Pass Holders (age 75+) - May have unlimited free rides on RT buses and light rail (not valid on Yolo Bus). RT Lifetime Passes are available only at RT's Photo Identification Center.
Transfers Back to top
Purchased only when boarding buses—to passengers paying Basic or Discount fares. Bus transfers are valid for two hours from the end of the bus trip on which the transfer was issued. Transfers may only be used once and must be surrendered to the operator upon boarding another bus. When transferring from light rail to bus, surrender the validated light rail ticket to the operator and pay the basic ($.25) or discount ($.10) transfer fare. Validated light rail tickets are valid for two hours from the time of purchase. A paper transfer will not be given. Unexpired bus transfers serve as proof of fare payment on light rail. Central City/Shuttle validated light rail tickets are NOT accepted as bus transfers.
Fare Payment Back to top
Cash Fares. Accepted only on RT buses. Exact change is required since bus operators do not carry or give change.
Tickets. Single Fare Tickets - Accepted on buses. Valid for two hours from time of validation.
Tickets must be validated (date and time stamped) by the fare vending machine before boarding light rail.
Tickets to ride on light rail must be purchased before boarding, and are available from fare vending machines located at light rail stations.
Passes
Monthly Passes/Stickers - Valid for unlimited rides on RT buses and light rail for the month shown, and through the first business day of the following month.
Daily Passes - Valid for unlimited rides until 1:30 a.m. the day after purchase or validation.
Prepaid Passes - Must be validated before boarding light rail.
Class Pass Back to top
RT offers the Class Pass which permits unlimited use for groups traveling during the hours of 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Class Pass is available to any group with 10 or more students who are pursuing a high school diploma. The cost of the Class Pass is $2.00 for each student and $4.00 for each accompanying adult. Groups who plan to travel only within the Central City Zone qualify for a Class Pass at the regular Central City Zone fare. No additional discount is given. The cost of the Central City Zone Class Pass is $1.00 for each student and $2.00 for each accompanying adult. RT Customer Service Representatives are available to answer questions about your group travel. Please contact RT by phone at least 10 working days before your day of travel. Please call 321-BUSS (2877) for more information.
How To Buy RT Fares
• RT’s Customer Service Center at 1225 R. StreetIn Person
• Over 50 retail outlets throughout Sacramento. Monthly Passes/Stickers are sold from the 25th of each month through the 10th of the following month.
• Student Monthly Stickers are sold at most high schools and a few middle schools.
By Phone
By Mail